In order to nail a job interview, preparation is key. Find out what skills and qualities an interviewer looks for in a drug safety specialist. Along with the questions to expect. Learn how to prepare in advance and land the job.
A drug safety specialist makes sure all medicines are safe. Which requires a high level of scientific expertise. Along with teamwork with other agencies and companies. Helping to ensure the safety of new and existing drugs.
If you want a job in drug safety, an interview is required. This helpful guide will uncover the answers to the most common interview questions you have.
- It helps to be familiar with the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a federal agency that regulates the safety of food, drugs, and medical devices. Ensuring proper quality control. As a drug safety specialist, your response should show that you are familiar with and knowledgeable about these rules.
Let the interviewer know you are aware of the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices. Share that when you worked at a previous company, you worked with the FDA’s quality assurance team and their job was to ensure you were adhering to all regulations. Therefore, you are confident with these practices in place. With GMP, patients can relax in the confidence that their medications are totally safe. With no contaminants in the final product.
- What are the most important factors when testing a drug?
How well you understand drug safety testing and how you use it in the workplace can be determined by this question. Look at your own experiences and use them to share how you feel about all aspects of a product’s development.
You could talk about how, in your last position as a drug safety specialist, you were involved in testing a new medication. Specifically, for depression in adults. Knowing that the drug’s dosage is the most critical consideration. As dosage determines how well it relieves symptoms. Also, aside from examining dosage levels, you examined the drug’s side effects. Finally, you examined the drug’s efficacy in the target audience for which you would market it.
- How would you find a problem with a pharmaceutical product?
The interviewer can use this question to gauge your critical thinking and data-analytic abilities. A drug or pharmaceutical product may have a problem that you can solve by using your problem-solving skills in the past.
A brilliant answer would be that, during your previous position, you were in charge of all incoming reports. This showed adverse effects patients experienced while taking their medication. So, when you notice an increase in certain types of side effects, you will then investigate further. You do this by looking at patient records and comparing them. Specifically, to other similar drugs on the market. By going through this procedure, you learn whether the medication is safe.
- In what way do you go about reporting your findings to your boss?
It is possible that the interviewer will ask this question to get a sense of how you manage your time and communicate with others. Your answer should showcase your ability to stay on task. While paying attention to the smallest of details and tight deadlines.
A suitable answer will tell the interviewer how you use a database program to keep track of all your paperwork. As you find it most efficient. Along with a great way to keep track of your findings while recording any changes or updates to safety protocols. You keep all of your notes from assessments in the database so that you can access them later if necessary. Which you then send to your employer.
- Let us know how you dealt with a person with negative side effects from taking medication.
This is a common interview question, meant to elicit information about how well you communicate with patients. Along with how you ease their discomfort from their medication. Share a time you helped a patient understand what was happening, and how to deal with it.
You could share how a patient came to the pharmacy complaining of severe nausea after taking her medication. She felt like she would never get better. To your surprise, after a few minutes of conversation, you discovered she was pregnant and taking an antidepressant. Which you felt contributed to her nausea. Therefore, you told her she had symptoms from the combination of the two factors and needed steps to improve her well-being.
- Do you have any concerns or inquiries regarding the position or the business?
Do some research and show the interviewer that you’re really interested in the position. Then talk about it. Interviewers often welcome candidates who ask interviewers about their roles.
An answer that you could share with the interviewer is that you feel the position appears to have a lot of room for advancement. As evidenced by their website. Therefore, you are looking forward to learning more about their educational offerings and career advancement possibilities. Along with the workplace resource group. Which has really piqued your interest to no end.
- What sets you apart from other candidates for this position?
This is a common interview question, meant to glean additional information about your skills. Which may add value to the company. Make a list of your qualifications for the position prior to the interview. Make a point of emphasizing any skills or certifications you possess. That sets you apart from the competition.
You could say that you are a pharmacist because you love helping people. You once worked with a drug safety specialist who helped patients better understand their medications and the side effects they were experiencing so they could take them safely. This experience helped you. Leading you to gain a better understanding of how to assist others in handling the maze of medical terms and information.
Conclusion
These tips offer great guidance when looking for new pharmaceutical job opportunities.
